Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAmrFLxwi-s&list=PLOQvdw7d0cd9RZZkd2lZy2hmrnJv-cfLI&index=39
Evan Snow: So we are back here on the Choose954 podcast, episode 58, with Dr. Susan Rashid, a local family medicine physician who is going to be our next upcoming AAF Creative Zen speaker. If you didn’t know about Choose954, we started a social movement to cultivate culture and community here in Broward County, where I’m from, in an effort to keep people in the know with all the great things that are going on and make this a better place to live and not just a better place to vacation. The point of the podcast is to connect you with amazing people like her who are doing important things in the community. The podcast is sponsored by the Thousand Mermaids Artificial Reef Project, creating artistically crafted artificial reefs that help provide coral restoration, ecotourism, fish habitat protection, and countless other great benefits. To find out more, you can log on to www.thousandmermaids.com.
Dr. Susan Rashid: I am a family medicine physician, and I’ve been practicing on my own for the last five years. I’ve worked throughout various areas of South Florida—Miami Beach, North Miami Beach, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale—so I have a good understanding of the South Florida community in terms of the healthcare needs and the vulnerable populations that make up this very exotic and very diverse sector of the USA.
Along with being a family medicine doctor, I decided to go back to get some more training and schooling, just for fun and because I love learning. I think we should all cherish being students because knowledge is great; it’s always changing, things evolve, and it’s just good to stay updated on new theories and ideas. So, I’m working with the Correctional Medicine Fellowship at Nova, and I’m getting my master’s in public health at the same time. I started in corrections last summer with the Department of Juvenile Justice here in Florida, dealing with incarcerated adolescents, and I really liked it. It’s inspiring to see that kids can go back out, complete their high school education, and pursue great dreams. It’s about giving them some good guidance and optimism that this isn’t the end; they’re just starting their lives and can make better decisions moving forward.
I wanted to see how this played out with adults, and it’s been quite the ride—an extraordinary experience, to say the least. I’m enjoying it, and it’s nice to also be working on my master’s in public health, which helps me understand the vulnerable populations and the barriers they face in accessing good healthcare and achieving good health.
Evan Snow: Right now, with the current situation, we’re forever grateful for you and all the frontline healthcare workers, obviously, and for everybody that’s assisting with the current situation. Before we get into that, how did you initially get your start in medicine? Where did your journey begin?
Dr. Susan Rashid: I went to medical school in 2008 at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. I was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and after getting my bachelor’s degree, I really enjoyed the sciences and learning how to manage and promote good health. It’s something I felt compelled to do and enjoy doing. Just knowing that you saved a life and promoted wellness and care is incredibly fulfilling. It’s a very caring profession, and it’s nice to see patients who really appreciate you and want to achieve good things in life. Being a good doctor is about more than just managing medicine; it’s about emotional connection, communication skills, empathy, and compassion. These qualities come intuitively with the work I do, and it’s not something you can just learn from a book. It’s in my nature, and it’s nice to connect that with the health sciences. The long-lasting connections with patients are something I truly cherish.
Regarding the COVID-19 situation, it’s a unique story. When I started the Correctional Medicine Fellowship at the end of 2019, I mentioned that it would be nice to start a podcast on what really happens with medicine behind bars and for those who are incarcerated. There are so many stereotypical portrayals of this vulnerable population, but sometimes the reality is quite different. I wanted to bring some realism to the sensational stories and focus on the medical care that patients receive in correctional facilities.
As I was preparing to start the podcast, the coronavirus outbreak began in Wuhan, China, and I learned about an outbreak in the women’s prison system there. The virus spread rapidly due to the close quarters in prisons and jails, where social distancing is nearly impossible, and the conditions aren’t always the cleanest. Access to soap and water can be limited, and alcohol-based sanitizers are considered contraband. So, I decided to make that the topic of my first podcast episode.
I was fortunate to connect with Dr. Harish Moorjani, an infectious disease specialist from New York City who had experience dealing with outbreaks, including the Ebola outbreak in 2014. He provided guidelines to the New York Department of Corrections and the governor during that time. Dr. Moorjani was eager to share his insights on dealing with an infectious disease outbreak in an incarcerated population and even had some exciting news about experimental treatments for COVID-19 and vaccine development before most of us knew about them.
My first episode featured breaking news, and that relationship with Dr. Moorjani has continued, leading to five more episodes focused on coronavirus and COVID-19. The situation in New York City, where Dr. Moorjani is based, progressed rapidly, and it turned into a deep dive into experimental treatments, vaccine production, drive-through testing, the accuracy of tests, symptomatology, and the spread of the virus. We’ve covered the impact on the incarcerated population and the ethical issues that have arisen, such as the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the rationing of care.
Evan Snow: It’s incredible how your podcast started and evolved into something so relevant and important. The ethical dilemmas and challenges faced by healthcare providers during this pandemic are unprecedented. What are some of the key takeaways from your experience so far?
Dr. Susan Rashid: The pandemic has highlighted the importance of protecting healthcare workers and the vulnerable populations they serve. The lack of PPE, such as N95 masks, gowns, and gloves, has been a significant concern. It’s essential to support healthcare workers by ensuring they have the necessary supplies to protect themselves while caring for patients.
I’ve seen communities come together to make masks, and I encourage more people to do the same. While homemade masks may not be as effective as N95 masks, they can still help reduce the risk of infection. The elderly in nursing homes, incarcerated individuals, and frontline healthcare workers are at the highest risk, and providing them with masks is crucial.
Beyond the immediate need for PPE, we need to address the broader issues that have been exposed by the pandemic. Mental health, substance abuse, and access to healthcare are critical areas that need attention. The pandemic has also forced us to reconsider how we approach public health, education, and the economy.
Evan Snow: Your insights are incredibly valuable, and I’m sure they will resonate with our listeners. What are some of the future topics you plan to cover on your podcast?
Dr. Susan Rashid: The podcast is called "Secrets of Survival SOS by Susan Rashid," and you can find it on most platforms, including Apple Podcasts. I plan to cover a wide range of topics, including mental health, substance abuse, women’s health, pediatrics, and the impact of the pandemic on various populations. I’m also interested in exploring how other countries are handling the crisis and what we can learn from their experiences.
I want to delve into the interconnectedness of health, the economy, and society. The pandemic has shown us that the health of a society is closely linked to its economic stability. People need to feel secure in their jobs and their ability to provide for their families, and that’s something we need to address moving forward.
Evan Snow: I appreciate your passion for these issues and your commitment to making a difference. For those who want to follow your work and stay connected, where can they find you?
Dr. Susan Rashid: You can find my podcast, "Secrets of Survival SOS by Susan Rashid," on Apple Podcasts and other platforms. You can also visit my website at www.simplecast.com/secretsofsurvival. I’m on Twitter at @SecretsSOS, and you can email me at secretsofsurvivalmedicine@gmail.com. I’m also on Facebook as Susan Rashid and Instagram at rashid.susan767.
Evan Snow: Thank you so much, Dr. Rashid, for sharing your insights and experiences with us. We’re grateful for your time and the valuable work you’re doing. I’d also like to thank Mayor Billy Soto for connecting us. If you’d like to learn more about Dr. Rashid’s story, you can join us at the AAF Creative Zen event this Friday, April 17th, at 9 a.m. via Zoom. It’s a free event, and we’d love to have you join us.
I’m Evan Snow, co-founder of Choose954 and other initiatives in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County. If you have any questions or want to stay connected, you can reach out to me at evan@choose954.com or on Instagram at @evansnow13 and @choose954. Stay safe, practice social distancing, and we’ll see you on the flip side. Cheers!
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